Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:32:38 +0000
From: James Leete
Subject: My Maquis Lover: The Return - Chapter 3
Disclaimer:
This story is based in the "Star Trek" universe. The use of anything
related to "Star Trek" in this series is not intended to infringe upon the
rights of Paramount Pictures. The author is in no way associated with the
owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.
All other content or otherwise are works of my own imagination. All events
are fictitious in nature.
Any similarities to persons living, dead, or otherwise are purely
coincidental.
This story contains strong themes of homosexual content, if this offends
you in any way, please refrain from reading further. If you are not of
legal age to read this, please leave now.
Ok as well before we start this is based on the series Star Trek Voyager
but with a twist from the original story line and i hope you like it.
Chapter 3: Loss
"First Officers log stardate 45180.3 Voyager has spent the last several
weeks assisting with the cleanup of the areas of space where major attacks
have happened during the dominion war. I have to admit it's refreshing to
do things to assist the federation instead of constantly having issues to
deal with whilst we were in the delta quadrant. Things on board are running
smoothly and the crew is happy carrying out the missions we are sent
on. End Log." I said as I made out my log. I was sat in my office working
away checking over systems reports and reviewing the tactical diagnostic
B'Elanna had brought me. "Bridge to Commander Carter" came Paris' voice
over the comm. "Go ahead." I said. "Sir we are receiving a transmission
from Starfleet Command, I would inform Chakotay but he is currently in
sickbay." He told me. "Understood Tom, I'll take the call." I replied. "Aye
Sir." Tom replied before closing the channel. A few seconds later the call
was routed to me and I tapped a few keys on my console and the screen came
alive to reveal Kathryn. "Jack, I had expected to be talking to Chakotay."
She said. "He's in sickbay at the minute." I replied. "Ah I see, nothing
serious I hope." She asked. "Nothing urgent, he fractured his wrist earlier
on the holodeck and is getting it seen to." I told her. I paused before
continuing "How can I help?" I asked. "Well I have new orders for you.
Starfleet has been impressed with how well you have handled the cleanup
efforts and now has a new assignment for you. 2 weeks ago the starship
Sovereign was sent to the Gamma Quadrant to begin a search for new
locations for mining sites and colonies as well as starbase sites. However
yesterday morning they never checked in at the usual time and the ship
cannot be raised. With the defiant undergoing major upgrades and with most
of the fleet either in drydock or on other missions, Voyager has been
chosen to track down the Sovereign and see what is going on. Your orders
are to find them, assist them if necessary and report on their current
situation and if necessary return them safely back to earth." She told
me. "Understood." I replied. "I'm sending you all the information we have
and the reports that Captain De-Soto has submitted. I'm sure that you and
Chakotay will do your best to find them." She told me. "We will ma'am." I
said. "Very good, keep me informed and have Chakotay contact me once you
have something." She ordered. "Aye Sir." I replied. "Janeway out." She said
as the screen went blank. I received the information and looked it through
and made out my own report. "Carter to Chakotay." I said over an hour
later. "Go ahead." He replied. "Sir, I need to see you. We have received
orders from Starfleet command." I told him. "Understood, I'll join you in
your office." He told me. "Understood sir, Carter out." I said and the
comm. Channel ended.
After spending some time with Chakotay going over what the Admiral told me
and the information I reviewed he was caught up to speed. "Very well Jack,
call a meeting of the senior staff and we can bring them up to speed." He
said. "Understood sir, All Senior staff report to the briefing room in 10
minutes." I said over the comm. Together Chakotay and I left my office and
headed for the bridge. 10 minutes later the senior staff was assembled in
the briefing room all sat around the table. "Earlier we received a
transmission from Starfleet Command, however at the time I was unavailable
so Jack took the call. It was from Admiral Janeway and she has given us new
orders. Jack is going to brief us on this. Jack..." Chakotay told the
senior staff. Everyone turned to me. I stood up and went over to the wall
console and inputted some information bringing up the schematics for the
Sovereign. "The U.S.S Sovereign, the first ship of her class." I explained
to everyone. "I'm sure many of you already know about the sovereign class
ship having spent some time aboard the Enterprise E therefore it saves me
having to explain to you in detail about this class of ship." I said
looking at everyone as they nodded. "Good, well the Sovereign was sent on a
mission to the Gamma Quadrant two weeks ago in order to begin a search for
new locations for mining sites and colonies as well as starbase sites.
However the ship has not been heard from in a few days and Starfleet in
understandably worried and have ordered us to investigate. The reports we
have received have suggested that Sovereign was due to start their mission
in sector 4258. The last report Starfleet received said that they were in
Sector 4263 and had still not found any suitable planets that could be of
use. Everything on board was functioning and there had been no issues on
board. Voyager will begin its search in Sector 4263. Upon our locating the
vessel Starfleet has ordered us to assist them and report back and if
necessary escort her back to Earth." I said before taking my seat. "This
sounds like it's going to be fun." Said Harry. I smiled. "Standard search
and locate mission people, upon our finding the ship, Jack will be leading
an away team on board." Chakotay told us. "If there is nothing further
then, Mr Paris set a course for Deep Space Nine." Chakotay then
ordered. "Aye Sir." He replied. "Dismissed." Chakotay said. Everyone stood
and left and returned to their posts.
After spending a few hours at warp we eventually arrived at Deep Space Nine
to see a buzz of activity going on. Many ships were either docked or
leaving the station. I was sat on bridge with Chakotay and Troy working
away. "Hail the station." Chakotay ordered. I heard Harry work the controls
before saying "They are responding." He brought the viewscreen to life as I
stood up and moved over the centre of the bridge. "This is Colonel Kira of
Deep Space Nine, how can we assist you Voyager." Said Kira. "Colonel, I'm
Commander Jack Carter, First officer, request permission to enter the
wormhole and proceed to the Gamma Quadrant." I said. "Permission granted
Commander, Starfleet Command has already contacted us and informed us of
your mission. Good luck." She said. "Thank you." I said before the channel
closed. "Mr Paris, lay in a course for the wormhole and take us in."
Chakotay said. He flew us directly for the wormhole as it opened. He flew
us straight in and we were on our way. It was a beautiful site to see on
the viewscreen, all the blue tendrils of energy mixing creating a
magnificent site. The Bajoran people say that the wormhole is the home of
prophets but I never believed all the nonsense. We remained in the wormhole
for a few minutes before emerging on the other side. Once we were clear
Chakotay spoke up, "Mr Paris Lay in a course for Sector 4263. Warp 8." He
ordered. Paris did so and took us to warp. "We are on course, ETA 11
hours." Paris told us. "Good then we should arrive for 08:00." I
said. "Jack, it's time to change the watch over." Chakotay whispered to
me. I had not realised the time. The night watch was already on the bridge
and waiting to assume their stations. "Day shift, release your posts. Night
Shift assume your positions." I ordered. Everyone took their posts and
left the bridge with the exception of Tom who was waiting for me. I briefed
Lieutenant Jenkinson before leaving the bridge with Tom. After heading for
the day care centre to collect Matthew we returned to our quarters. "What a
day." Tom said. I smiled as I lay Matt down in his crib. As we had run
late on shift the staff at the day care centre had already fed him and
bathed him and got him into his pj's ready for bed and I could see when I
went to collect him he was exhausted. I stroked his hair and pretty soon he
was out like a light. I went back into the main area to see Tom sprawled
out on the sofa with a coffee in hand and one on the table waiting for
me. I sat next to him and took a swig of my coffee. "Do you think we will
find the Sovereign?" he asked me. "I'm sure we can." I said looking at
him. I was about to say something else when the door chime went off. "Come
in." I said, the doors opened and in walked Chakotay smiling. "Captain." I
said. "Jack please sit down." He said sighing. "Listen when we were in the
delta quadrant Kathryn and I had the understanding that when we were on
duty I would address her properly but off duty we were on a first name
basis and that's the way I want it to be between us. No more of this sir
business I want us to be on the first name basis like me and Kathryn, and I
want to do the meals that me and Kathryn did, we used to meet weekly for a
meal and I want us to do the same, and of course your invited Tom."
Chakotay added. I smiled. "That sounds great, we can do it in here." I
said. Chakotay laughed and said "Well only if your sure." I smiled "Of
course I'm sure." I said. "Good well now that's settled, Tom I have
assigned you to the away team with the doctor and B'Elanna and I'll be
leading the team." He said, this had me at a dead stop. "Captain, I don't
think I have to remind you that..." was all I said before Chakotay cut me
off, "Jack I appreciate your concerns but this isn't open for debate. I'm
leading the team. There is a minimal risk and besides its been so long
since I led an away team that I deserve to stretch my legs." He said with a
smile. I held my hands up and said "Fine, but don't blame me if Kathryn
kicks your ass from earth back to the delta quadrant." He laughed, "Well
I'm going to head back to my quarters to grab some dinner before getting
some sleep. I'll see you both in the morning." He said before walking out
the door. We replicated dinner and headed off to bed.
I woke the next morning to find Matthew crawling all over me and Tom sat up
keeping an eye on him. "Well hello gorgeous." I said taking hold of him and
lifting him up which he let out a little giggle. I tickled his belly and
his continued to giggle even more. "What time is it?" I asked Tom who came
back from the replicator with a coffee for me. "05:00" he replied. "And
don't worry Matthew has already been fed and burped." He added. "Awww your
so good." I said kissing Tom. We hung out in bed for a while playing and
reading to Matthew before getting out of bed. I went and showered while Tom
bathed and dressed Matthew and by the time I was all ready in my uniform,
Tom was sat on the sofa reading `3 Little Pigs' to Matt. "I'll take him,
you grab a shower and then we can get some breakfast." I said to Tom. "Okay
well we have only just started this book so I'll let you take over." He
replied. I sat Matt on my knee and read him the story and soon Tom was
ready and away we went for the day. After eating breakfast and dropping
Matthew off at the day care centre Tom and I walked onto the bridge a
little before 07:50 to see Harry at his post and Troy sat in his seat
reading over a padd. "Good morning Jack." Harry said as I went over to my
seat. "Morning Harry, your here early." I said. "Yes sir, I wanted to
complete a diagnostic on the port lateral sensor pods." He said. "And?" I
asked. "One of them was out of alignment but other than that everything is
okay." He replied. "Good to hear. How long before we reach Sector 4263?" I
asked. "On approach now sir." He replied. A moment later the doors to the
turbolift opened as did the doors to the ready room as Chakotay, Paris and
B'Elanna stepped onto the bridge. Tom and B'Elanna took their stations as
Chakotay took his seat. "Report." Chakotay said. "On approach to Sector
4263." I said. "Entering the system now Captain." Paris said. "Slow to ½
impulse. Harry begin a scan for the Sovereign." Chakotay ordered. "Aye
sir." Harry said. Chakotay leaned over in his chair to speak with Troy as I
worked the controls on my station and checked things over on the
ship. "Sir, I'm detecting a power signature." Harry said. I stood up and
went to the railing by his console. "Does it match that of the Sovereign?"
I asked. "Yes sir, they are 1.3 light years away on a heading of 168 mark
35." Harry told us. "Mr Paris lay in a course and engage at Warp 5."
Chakotay ordered. "Aye Sir." He said. A few moments later we were at
Warp. After an hour at Warp, Paris announced we were on approach. "Slow to
¼ impulse." Chakotay said. He did so and the ship began to slow. "I've
located the Sovereign." Harry said. "She's within Visual range." he
added. "On Screen." I said. The viewscreen came to life, and there sat the
sovereign. Scorch marks across her hull, the port nacelle completely
offline and what looked like several hull ruptures. "Scan the Vessel." I
said. "They are adrift, multiple hull breaches, warp drive is offline."
B'Elanna said. "Any sign of the crew?" I asked. "The readings are erratic,
I can't tell." B'Elanna answered. I looked over at Chakotay who looked back
and said "Tom, bring us to within transporter range. Away team your with
me. Jack the bridge is yours." He stood and headed for the turbolift with
B'Elanna and my Tom and left. I took the centre chair, it felt strange,
when I was the night watch officer back in the delta quadrant we only had
two chairs, but now I had to get used to 3 and it felt so strange. "The
away team have beamed over." Harry said bringing me out of my
daydream. "Keep an open comm. Link for them." I said "Aye sir." He
replied. We continued to monitor their progress when the comm. Went
off. "Chakotay to Voyager." He said. "Go ahead captain." I replied. "The
ship is abandoned, there was only the captain left on board, the escape
pods were launched by him but he had severe injuries and died shortly
after." He explained. "Do we know what happened?" I asked. "We have looked
at the ships logs and it appears that..." was all Chakotay said before the
comm. Link was cut off. "What happened?" I asked. "We are being jammed. We
have lost sensor contact and transporter lock" Harry said. "By who?" I
asked. But before he could answer Paris called out, "Commander I'm reading
a ship on approach, they are 200,000 kilometres away and closing and their
weapons are powered." He explained. "Harry can you identify them?" I
asked. "Checking...." he said. "Sir, their hull configuration doesn't
match anything in our database." He said. "Hail them." I said. Harry worked
the controls. "No response." He told me. "Open a channel all frequencies."
I ordered. "Open." he said "This is Commander Jack Carter of the Federation
starship Voyager, please identify yourself." I said. I waited a moment and
then looked at Harry but before he could answer the ship shook.
"Red Alert, All Hands to Battlestations." I said. The bridge went crimson
red as we prepared for combat. "Shields up, Arm Phasers, Loads Torpedoes."
I said. "Harry re-open a channel." I then ordered. "This is Voyager, we do
not wish to fight you however if you don't stand down we will retaliate." I
said. "Still no answer." Harry said as the ship shook again. "Seven take
tactical, Mr Paris evasive manuveurs." I said. He initiated the sequence as
Seven went over to the tactical station. The enemy ship fired
again. "Return fire." I said. Seven fired phasers at the ship and they hit
us again. "Target their weapons array and fire." I said. "Harry try to
break through the interference we need the away team back." I said. Paris
and Seven continued to fight well between them with Paris executing the
best tactical flying I've seen him do. Things then suddenly changed. "Sir
the attacking ship is trying to pull us away from the sovereign." Paris
said. "A smaller ship has just been launched from their hanger bay and is
heading for the sovereign they have their weapons trained on them." Harry
explained. "Without shields the sovereign will be destroyed." Seven
said. "Harry any look?" I asked. "I think so, try it now." He said.
"Voyager to away team come in."I said. "Jack what's going on?" said
Chakotay over a crackly line. "We are under attack by an unidentified ship,
prepare to beam back." I said. I looked at Harry as the smaller ship began
to attack the Sovereign. "The sovereign structural integrity is at 13% and
dropping rapidly." Seven said. "Harry lock onto the away team and prepare
to beam them back." I said. "I only have a partial lock, I can only take
one at a time." He told me. "Then we are about to find out what
improvements Starfleet did to this ships hull. Bridge to transporter room
1." I said. "Go ahead." Came Luke's voice. "Luke I understand you can only
transport one at time." I said. "That's right sir." He said. "We are going
to drop shields, try to get them over as quick as you can." I said. As I
was saying this the ship was continuing to take hits with conduits and
consoles sparking over head. "Away team, we can only take you one at
time. Prepare for transport." I said. "Understood." Chakotay said. "The
sovereign structural integrity is at 7%." Seven said. "Understood, Lower
shields and begin transport." I said. With the shields down, each hit now
was 10 times worse than normal. We took a hit as seven shouted, "Hull
breach deck 8." I ignored it as Luke said "The doctor is on board." He
continued to transport and then said "We have Tom." I breathed a sigh of
relief, knowing he was back to safety. "We have B'Elanna." He said. Just as
luke reported that B'Elanna was on board the ship took a giant hit and I
was thrown from my feet. "Direct hit transporters are offline." Harry
reported. "Get them back." I said. "I can't half the relays are fused." He
told me. "Jack get me out of here." Chakotay said over the comm. Everything
was falling apart. "Captain transporters just went down, if you can make it
to their transporter room we will keep our shields down and wait for you."
I said but there was no answer. "Captain." I said again. "The comm. Is
gone." Harry said. We took another hit and a bulkhead fell to the floor
right by me. "Sir we need to re-raise shields." Paris said. "No we have to
wait for Chakotay. All remaining power to the weapons and structural
integrity. Target their engines and life support. Fire." I said. Seven
fired multiple quantum torpedoes hitting the ship head on. "Sir the
Sovereign." Harry shouted bringing it up on screen. We saw the smaller ship
fire a torpedo as the sovereign exploded. Everyone stood at their posts in
shock. My Tom and B'Elanna walked onto the bridge and saw. "Nooo." B'Elanna
said getting angry. She pushed Seven aside at Tactical. She was as angry as
I was. "B'Elanna target that things Warp Core with every weapon we have
and fire." I said. She did so destroying the smaller ship and then moving
onto the larger ship. "Fire a tachyon burst at their shields. As soon as
their shields are dropped target their warp core and fire." I said with
hatred in my voice. B'Elanna did so and fired destroying the
ship. Everyone stood at their consoles looking in total shock. The
Sovereign was destroyed and we had lost Chakotay. "Stand down red
alert. Damage report." I said. "Minor hull damage, transporters are down, 3
breaches which have been sealed. 12 wounded." B'Elanna told me. "Assign
repair teams Tom." I said. "Aye sir." He replied. "What did you learn about
the Sovereign?" I asked. "They were attacked by the same ship, however they
caught them by surprise. By the time they responded, they couldn't do
anything apart from abandon ship. The sensors of the sovereign reported
that no escape pods made it, they were all destroyed as were the shuttles."
She told me. "Understood, Harry open a channel to Starfleet, priority
1. Get me Admiral Janeway." I said. "Aye sir." He replied. "Put it through
to the ready room. Paris set a course back to the wormhole maximum warp."
I said. "Yes sir." He replied. I went down into the ready room and looked
around to see all of Chakotay's decorative items around. I sat down and
tapped the control on the console and Kathryn's face appeared. "Jack
report." She said. "We located the sovereign sir." I said trying hard not
to show my emotions. Inside I wanted to cry. "What condition are they in?"
she asked. "I regret to inform you sir, that the Sovereign was destroyed
with the loss of all hands." I informed her. "Understood I'll make a
record of it. Where's Chakotay shouldn't he be telling me this?" she
asked. My face dropped and I turned away. "Jack what happened?" she said
instantly recognising something was wrong. I turned back and looked at
her. "Chakotay lead the away team over to the sovereign, however we came
under attack from the same ship that attacked the sovereign. We were only
able to transport one person at a time out and before we could beam
Chakotay out we lost transporters. The sovereign was destroyed shortly
after with Chakotay still on board." I explained. She looked at me in
complete shock. "It can't be true." she said. "I'm sorry to say it is true
sir." I replied. She stood in total shock and then shook her head. "Jack, I
want your official report on that topic." She said. "Admiral, as first
officer of this ship it is my duty to inform you that Captain Chakotay was
killed a short time ago when the U.S.S Sovereign was destroyed." I
said. "Understood Commander, I will make a record of that also. In the mean
time your orders are to return to earth immediately for de-briefing. I want
the away mission reports, and the overall mission report, which is now your
responsibility, ready for when you return. I will beam aboard as soon as
you return. Janeway out." She said and ended the channel. I hit a control
and ended the channel on my end and put my head in my hands. I then walked
out on to the bridge. "Away team I need your report by the end of the
day. Mr Paris what's our ETA on the wormhole?" I asked. "8 hours, and we
will be back at earth in 12 hours." He said. I looked at the time, 11:00
hours. It wasn't even lunchtime and we had already lost the captain of this
ship. "Understood" I said. I looked to B'Elanna who's expression was a
complete blank, although I could see in her eyes her mood had gone from
angry to sad.
An hour later I emerged from the ready room and on to the bridge having
just finished the mission report. Up until this point it was agreed among
the bridge crew not to mention anything about Chakotay until after minor
repairs were complete. The time had now come for me to make the official
announcement. I walked to centre of the bridge and looked at each member of
the senior staff and then hit the control on the side of the captains
chair. "All hands, this is Commander Carter, I would like your complete
attention." I said before pausing. "It is with great sadness that I must
inform you of a situation on board. 1 hour ago whilst on board the
Sovereign, Captain Chakotay was killed. This is a devastating blow to this
ship and to the people who served under him. We have been ordered to return
to earth by Admiral Janeway where the senior staff and I will be de-briefed
and also where we can hold a service in honour of Chakotay. Captain
Chakotay was a fine man and an excellent officer, one of the best captain's
in the fleet. For those of you who served under him in the delta quadrant
when he was this ships first officer, you will remember the times we shared
together. I would like you all to take a moment to remember the Captain." I
said as the ship went quiet. It remained quiet for roughly two minutes to
the point where you could hear a pin drop. "Thank you all. I expect
everyone to carry out their duties as normal. There will be time to grieve
when we return to Earth. Carter out."